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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools in the Great Lakes Region

9 Colleges in the United States
$11,653 Avg Student Debt
$40,590 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Precision Metal Working Badge [Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong precision metal working education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 159 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value precision metal working schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools in the Great Lakes Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the precision metal working degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools

1

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College tops our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,500. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $33,326. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

A rank of #2 makes Lake Land College one of the best values for precision metal working. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $27,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Carl Sandburg College earned it the #3 place for precision metal working. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,604 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $48,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #4 place for precision metal working. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

A rank of #5 makes Illinois Valley Community College one of the best values for precision metal working. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $8,099. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $33,224. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Moraine Valley Community College earned the #6 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.

7

Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #7 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,602. Precision Metal Working graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $37,195 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College came in at #8 for value in precision metal working this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $8,093. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College generally make around $33,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Danville Area Community College placed #9 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,470. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $36,123. Set against $9,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Kankakee Community College came in at #10 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Lorain County Community College came in at #11 for value in precision metal working this year. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. Students from in state pay about $4,265 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Alpena Community College placed #12 among the best values for precision metal working. Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Alpena Community College generally make around $45,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #13 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Lansing Community College came in at #14 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $16,700. Precision Metal Working graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15
Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, MI

Delta College came in at #15 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $34,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,994. Precision Metal Working graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Muskegon Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,250, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $48,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Highland Community College Freeport landed the #18 spot for precision metal working value this year. Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Freeport. Students from in state pay about $4,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $13,783. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $46,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College came in at #19 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $15,865. Precision Metal Working graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Shawnee Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $39,601. Set against $11,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College landed the #21 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Lincoln Land Community College placed #22 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,272. Precision Metal Working graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $33,298 early in their careers. Set against $11,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Joliet Junior College came in at #23 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Elgin Community College landed the #24 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.

25

Richland Community College came in at #25 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for precision metal working this year:

26
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
27
28
29
30
31
32
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL
33
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL
34
Kellogg Community College crest
Kellogg Community College
Battle Creek, MI
35
36
37
38
39
40
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL
41
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Narrow Precision Metal Working Schools by State

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 159 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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